Barrett Fieldcraft accuracy

dennisinaz

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Those of you who have or have shot a Fieldcraft, how accurate are they? What exactly is acceptable to Barrett?

Reason I ask is that I have been pulling my hair out with a 6.5 Creedmoor that shoots 3 shots into .7- .75 MOA for the first group or two after cleaning and each successive group seems to get bigger. I just swapped scopes- no help.

I have tried Hornady Precision hunter 143 ELD-X, Hornady match 120 ELD-M, Sierra 130 TGK and the new Berger ammo with the 140 Hybrid. The 120 match shoots the worst but maybe it wouldn't if I tried it first after cleaning.

I let it cool way down. By the 5th group I'm up to 2" ++ 3 shot groups. I did shoot a few 5 shot groups but didn't see the point when 3 shot groups were so awful.

Looking for any examples. If all of them shoot like this then OK, it didn't work out but I'm hoping this is a lemon.
 
I have one in 6 Creedmoor. People measure accuracy differently, but mine is in the 0.8-1.1 MOA ballpark with the load I'm shooting.

The thin barrel does heat up quickly and I will notice some slight widening of group after about five shots, if I haven't let it cool down. But not the kind of leap in spread you're describing.

I love mine.
 
Did you perform any break in on the barrel? Are you getting undue fouling rapidly? Something to consider.

One additional thing to consider, if you haven't already. Lightweight rigs generally, including the Fieldcraft, can be more sensitive to pressure on the barrel from shooting positions. The barrels are exceptionally thin in all featherweights. To overcome this, try to replicate shooting position and pressure on the rifle from grips and rests as much as possible. I may be telling you things you already know, but again, it's worth considering.
 
I pick up my 6.5 fieldcraft Monday. Not what I wanted to hear but this seems like the exception not the rule for the fieldcraft. Not sure how many rounds you have down the tube but I would call Barrett if it doesn't get better soon. I've heard their customer service is great.... in all honesty .75 is plenty good for a lightweight hunting rifle. I don't expect benchrest accuracy out of a 7lb gun. As long as cold bore shot is where I expect then I'm happy.
 
It's .75" for the first group and gets bigger with each successive group after about 12-15 rounds it's over 2 MOA. I feel like I have tried a wide enough variety of ammo to see what it will really do. I'm hoping this is just a bad barrel. I'll bet it has about 80-120 rounds through it at this point- mostly 143 ELD-X Hornady stuff. No reloads at all.
 
I've got a fieldcraft in 30-06... I wish I went with a 6.5x55 that light rifle stings a little after 10 shots. I've shot 20 shots cleaning after each shot with 3 different rifles so each shots was about 3 minutes apart while breaking the barrels in. Cheap federal loads with 20 shots being about 3" after the initial sight in with front and rear bags. But it could be shooter error because after 10 shots it started stinging.

Fast forward I've recruited a bunch of friends to help me finish the second box for a total of 40 shots to break in. Still around 2.5" not much better than my first outing.

Fast forward again I made some handloads testing 5 different bullets, same weight 165 grains, starting load of 57 grains IMR 4350.

Shot off a lead sled with 25# of lead shot @ 104 yds to save my shoulder, calm day, overcast but very humid.

First batch
1) Hornady SST .78" 3 shot
2) Nosler ACCU .92" 3 shot
3) Sierra GK .55" 3 shot
4) Berger VLD 1.1" 3 shot
5) Swift Scirocco .20" 3 shot

Second batch
1) Hornady SST .82" 3 shot
2) Nosler ACCU .77" 3 shot
3) Sierra GK .52" 3 shot
4) Berger VLD .99" 3 shot
5) Swift Scirocco .17" 3 shot

I stopped after the second batch as I see no reason to test anymore. I made a bunch of the Swift Scirocco II and tested for groups at 300 yds with a 200 yd zero. After the initial break in and cleaning after each shot I copper cleaned the barrel and it was copper free in under 20 patches. To say the truth I suck at shooting longer distances but it's a working progress. My groups at 300 is below....

Group 1 - 2.73" 3 shot
Group 2 - 2.08" 3 shot
Group 3 - 1.68" 3 shot
Group 4 - 1.83" 4 shot (I didn't count the flyer)

It seams like the gun is getting better as the round count goes up. I did however notice if fired in a row the 3rd shot is the one that breaks away as the 1st and 2nd shots usually are touching or one ragged hole. Without cooling the 4th and 5th will definitely start flying. I believe this is a 1-2 shot hunting rifle. Maybe there are some tricks that experienced shooters have to help keep the flyers to a minimum but I don't know. If there is a way I would like to hear about it. I haven't used a chronograph yet as I'm more concerned about accuracy. I'm really liking this rifle, I'm really interested in a 6.5x55 or a 7mm-08.... I'm not a fan of the 6.5 CM anymore.

Good luck with your rifle, I hope my experience will help you get yours shooting great!!

Aloha
 
Those groups do seem large. Maybe it's a lemon. I'd call Barrett and start a conversation.

I'm shooting an inexpensive Howa 1500 in 6.5 CM. It's on a different stock and uses a Vortex Diamondback Tactical scope. After 30 rd breakin, shoots inside 1/2" at 100 yds consistently using Hornady American Gunner 140gr (BTHP). That's with a #2 profile barrel, and I don't bother to clean after every group nor do I give it much time for the barrel to cool.

After breakin (Hornady Black), I've shot only Hornady American Gunner 140gr. I'm a beginner and this is my first rifle. The rifle and I have only ~ 170 rds. Maybe I can get more accurate with practice and a different factory ammo.
 
It is called a FIELDcraft rifle, right? Not BENCHcraft or F1craft. I'm not trying to be a smart aleck here. I feel like I'm missing something. It's a lightweight hunting rifle (even says so on their website!) The first three shots are going into 0.7 to 0.75 inch at 100 yards. That's great...for a hunting rifle...to be used in the FIELD. What am I missing here?
 
I'm shooting an inexpensive Howa 1500 in 6.5 CM. It's on a different stock and uses a Vortex Diamondback Tactical scope. After 30 rd breakin, shoots inside 1/2" at 100 yds consistently using Hornady American Gunner 140gr (BTHP). That's with a #2 profile barrel, and I don't bother to clean after every group nor do I give it much time for the barrel to cool.

After breakin (Hornady Black), I've shot only Hornady American Gunner 140gr. I'm a beginner and this is my first rifle. The rifle and I have only ~ 170 rds. Maybe I can get more accurate with practice and a different factory ammo.

You should post some YouTube videos. I'd love to watch your howa dropping consistent groups under 1/2" with factory ammo, that's pretty incredible performance for the money.
 
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